Apparatus for playing a new game



Sept 25, 1934;. J. D. BOWLING APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A NEW GAME Filed June 20, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet l //VV/V70/? Jb/m Douglas Bowling.

ATTO/PA [KS Sept, 25, 1934 J. D. BOWLING APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A NEW GAME 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20 Sept, 25, 1934- J. D. BOWLING APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A NEW GAME Filed June 20, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor 10/11 Douglqs Bowling. By 6mm w- Sept. 25, 1934. .1. D, BOWLING I 1,974,860

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A NEW GAME Filed June 2 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I q iq 2 24 25 25 24 21 a 5 25 H Ti? 2" 24 I T: 19 22 35%.. I

Z] W E i I 2; ".5 20

Inventon- John Douglas Bowling.

Sept. 25, 1934- J. D. BOWLING APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A NEW GAME,

Inventor:-

Sept. 25, 1934. J D Bow N 1,974,860

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A NEW GAME Filed June 20, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Inventor;-

John Douglas Bowling. 91 W fifampug fittys.

Patented Sept. 25, 1934 STAT-ES P TET FFIE APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A NEW GAME John Douglas Bowling, Westcliff-on-Sea, England Application June 20, 1931, Serial No. 545,703 In Great Britain July 8, 1930 10 Claims.

l strength or skill of the stroke by the fact that said ball travels along a path having outlets at various distances or places from which said ball issues into or onto a selector which is connected to registering apparatus of a suitable type and appropriate coin freed mechanism also of any suitable type is provided for releasing a ball or balls for play, and returning the indicating means to zero.

For the purpose of this invention a casing of funnel shape, or any other suitable shape into i which the ball is driven is provided which communicates with a spiral ball race or channel having outlets at various points in the length thereof means being provided for conveying the ball or balls from one of said apertures to means for registering the skill of the strokes and for regulating the issue of the ball or balls to a player or players said issue being controlled by coin freed mechanism.

way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of an apparatus constructed according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of means controlled by the coin freed mechanism for allowing the balls to pass to the issuing mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a plan thereof.

Fig. 5 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section thereof taken on the line A--A of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the mechanism for issuing the balls to the player or players.

Fig. 8 is a plan thereof.

Fig. 9 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section thereof taken on the line BB of Fig. 8. p

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modification in the construction of the bucket or cup mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a plan thereof.

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the end of a trough illustrating a modified construction of the mechanism for releasing the balls for play.

14 is a plan thereof.

Fig. 15 is a similar view to Fig. 13, the discs being shown in dotted lines to illustrate more clearly the escapement and coin freed controlled locking parts thereof.

Fig. 16 is an end view of the locking mechanism.

In order that the said invention may be more clearly understood 1 will now describe the same by Fig. 17 is a side elevation partly in section illustrating a modification in the form of selecting device and Fig. 18 is an end View thereof partly in section.

Figs. 19 and 20 show an elevation and a plan respectively of a modified form of spiral.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, 1 represents a casing of funnel shape (or it might be of any other suitable shape) into which the ball is driven from a tee or any other suitable point and one end of this device communicates with a spiral ball race or channel 2 the coils of which are arranged in helical or cylindrical formation, as shown, interiorly of a drum 3 of cylindrical construction and the funnel shaped device or casing 1 communicates with the lowest coil of said ball race or channel 2 which is preferably of tubular formation although it might be of trough-like or other construction.

Instead of being arranged in cylindrical formation the coils of the spiral ball race or channel 2 may be arranged in the form of a flat or conical spiral or other suitable formation, for instance zig-zag or undulating formation.

Further, the coils of the spiral ball race or channel 2 may be disposedinteriorly or exteriorly of a drum cylinder, casing frame or the like which may be flat, cylindrical as shown, conical or other suitable shape according to the construction or formation of the ball race or channel.

At a suitable point in each coil of the ball race or channel 2 is an aperture 4 each of which is provided beneath the same with an inclined surface 5 onto which the ball in its travel falls when the momentum thereof is insufficient to carry it to the next aperture.

Connected with each of said openings 4 is one end of each of a series of channels or tubes 6 the other end of each of which communicates with a selecting device '7 which may be constructed and operated as hereinafter described and into which the balls are adapted to roll from the ends of said channels .or tubes 6. v

Theends of the channels, tubes or the like. are arranged preferably one above the other adjacent the end of the selecting device '7, the uppermost channel at its other end being connected with the aperture 4 of'the highest coil of the hereinbefore described .spiral channel or tube 2 and representing a stroke of the highest value or greatest drive and the other channels are con-' like which is pivotally mounted upon a stud or axis 8 carried by a suitable bracket or pillar or post 9, or said axis might be mounted at its ends in posts or in a frame or other fixed part or construction and said selecting device '7 is counterbalanced by means of a weight 10, preferably adjustable, and the office of said selecting device 7 is to register the force of the stroke and transmit this to a suitable recording device hereinafter referred to.

The end of the selecting device 7 is provided with a number of platform teeth or pockets 11 one in continuation of each channel 6 and onto or into which the balls travel and when a ball rolls onto or into one of said platforms or pockets 11 that end of the selecting device 7 is depressed and the ball is delivered into the issuing mechanism as and in the manner hereinafter described.

The selector end of each channel 6 is provided with a suitable guide tongue or platform 12 preferably grooved and said guides or platforms 12 are in alignment with the platforms or pockets ll of the selecting device, '7, in the normal position of the latter, office thereof being to ensure that the ball is guided correctly into the pocket 11 of the counterbalance selecting device 7.

Thus when a ball is driven into the opening of the funnel shaped casing 1 hereinbeforc referred to, it travels around the coils of the spiral channel 2 and according to the strength of the stroke issues at the highest opening its momentum permits it to reach and it then falls ino the corresponding channel 6 and travels down the same and onto or into one of the platforms or pockets 11 of the selecting device 7 which it oscillates, the extent of the oscillation thereof depending upon the height of the selector platform or pocket 11 at which the ball arrives.

The motion of the selecting device 7 is communicated to any suitable counting or indicating device, dia rammatically indicated. by 13, in such manner that the movements of the selecting device 7 are registered thereby and the value of tne stroke or strokes indicated for instance by the appearance of a tablet or number at a suitable opening or window 14.

The selecting device '7 is as hereinbefore described mounted on a pivot or spindle 8 upon which is also mounted a rocking lever 15 the ends of which are connected by means of connecting rods, wires, chains or like members 16 with a lever 17 mounted upon the'spindle 18 of the counting or indicating apparatus 13 in such manner that each movement of the selecting device is communicated to said counting or indicating apparatus 13.

Or the movements of the selecting device '7 may be communicated to the counting or indicating apparatus which may be of any suitable well known construction by any other suitable means.

' Mounted below the selecting device '7 or in any other suitable position is a trough 19, or equivalent member which is preferably disposed in an inclined position, as shown in Fig. l or provided with. an inclined floor, and "at or adjacent the highest end of said. trough member 19, or the inclined floor thereof, is a bucket or cup 29 which is located below the forked end of the selecting device 7, or the ejector member therefor, and is adapted to receive the ball or balls therefrom and said bucket or cup 20 is so mounted that when a ball falls thereinto from the: selecting device '7 it will tilt in such manner as to throw said ball into the trough 19.

Preferably said bucket or cup is as shown in Fig. 1 mounted upon one end of a lever 21 which is counterbalanced by a weight 22, or it might be a spring or the like and said lever 21 is mounted upon'a suitable support 23 upon or adjacent the end of the trough 19 and mounted upon the same axis and fixed therewith is a rocking lever 24 the ends of which are connected by means of wires, rods, or the like 25 with a similar lever 26 mounted at the other end of the trough member 19 for the purpose hereinafter described.

As hereinbefore mentioned the selecting device I is provided adjacent the ends of the channels 6 with a plurality of platforms or pockets 11, one for the end of each channel 6 and said platforms or pockets 11 are each provided with an approximately flat surface onto which a ball from the channel rolls and beyond said platform an inclined surface 11* is provided:

When a ball issues from one or other of the channels 6 into one of the pockets 11 of the selecting device 7, said selecting device oscillates until it meets the ejector 11 and on the recovery or return movement of the ejector the ball is caused to run onto the incline, down the end 11 of the ejector by reason of the inclined s irface 11 so that it falls into the cup or bucket 20 below it overcoming the counter weight of the counterbalanced lever 21 which carries said cup or bucket 20 and oscillates said lever 21 so that the bucket or cup 20 tilts and throws the ball into the trough 19 down which it rolls and is stored until allowed to proceed further as hereinafter described.

At the extreme other end of the trough 19 is a movable gate or stop 27 (hereinafter called the issuing gate) adapted to retain the ball or balls in the trough l9 and prevent the same being i delivered or rolling out thereof and at a short distance from that end of the trough member 19 is another movable gate or stop 28 (hereinafter calledthe intermediate) and the distance between the gates 27 and 28 is preferably that which would be occupied by ten balls, or it might be five or other suitable number and the intermediategate 28 is connected with a main lever 29; or other operating member, the movement of which is prevented by any suitable form of coin freed device or mechanism diagrammatically indicated at 30 but is adapted to be released by the insertion of a coin thereinto and the gate 28 is connected with the coin freed mechanism 30 by means of a rod, wire or other form connection as hereinafter described.

When a ball is by the tilting of the bucket or cup 20 thrown into the trough 19 it rolls down the same until stopped by the gate 28 and the balls accumulate in that part of the trough me .1. W

ber 19 until released by the opening of said gate Upon the'insertion of a coin in the said coin freed mechanism 30 the main operating lever or member 29 is released enablin the gate 28 to be opened by said operating member 29 where upon the balls which are stored in the trough 19 roll past said gate 28 until ten or other desired number of balls, determined by the coin freed mechanism 30, have passed said gate 28 when said gate is closed, the balls being retained in the trough 19 between the gates 28 and 27 until released'by the opening of the issuing gate 27 when a ball is delivered to the player or players.

The gates 28 and -,2 7,'hereinbefore referred to may be of any suitable form of construction but the following is the arrangement which it is preferred to employ.

Referring no-wto Figs. 3 to 6, which illustrate a construction suitable for employment as intermediate gate, rotatably mounted upon the sides of the trough 19 in the desired position upon the exterior thereof are discs 28, 28 (or they might be lil e rotatable members) and said discs are connected by a bridge or yoke 28 which besides coupling said discs 28, 28, will allow them to rotate within certain limits.

In the sides of the trough 19 are provided curved or segmental slots 28 (or said slots might be inclined) and carried by the discs 28, 28 are short bars, stop-s or plates 28 preferably of tapered, bevelled, convex or like cross section and said bars or stops 28 project through said slots 28 in the side of the trough 19 and enter the same for a suitable distance and work in said slots as hereinafter described and in the closed position of the gate said bars, plates or stops 28 are located in a position approximately midway between the bottom of the trough l9 and the top thereof, as shown in said figures, in which posi ,tion they form a barrier to the passage of the balls which come in contact therewith and are effectually stopped.

When a coin is inserted in the coin freed mechanism 30 and the lever or member 29 is operated in order to open the gate, the disc or rotatable members 28, 28 are moved so that the bars or stops 28 take up a position upon the bottom of the trough 19 as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 6 when the balls will pass over the same and roll down the trough 19 until stopped by the ate 27.

The gate 28 as hereinbefore described may be opened from the main operating lever 29 or the apparatus by any suitable means but preferably by a rod 31 at one end pivotally connected to a radius arm 32 fixed with the disc 28 or connected with thedisc itself, and at the other end connected with the counting or indicating mechanism 13 and connected with the operating mem ber 29 by means of a connection 31 passing over a guide 31 or said rod 31 might be connected with any suitable arrangement of levers or mechanism, whereby upon the insertion of a coin in the coin freed mechanism 30 the gate 28 may be operated or rotated until the bars 28 are disposed upon the bottom of the trough 19 by moving said operating member 29.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 10 which illustrate the construction of the gate 27 said gate comprises two rotatable members 27, 27 mounted one on each side of the trough 19 as shown and connected by a yoke 27 The rotatable members 27, 27 are also provided with barriers or plates 27 projecting through slots 27 in the I sides of the trough 19 thereinto but in this case said plates or stops 27 arepreferably of curved or concave cross section and are bevelled at their edges, as shown in Fig. 10.

Upon the axis of the bucket lever 21 is a rocking lever 24 and upon the axis of the gate 27 is a rocking lever 26 both said levers being hereinbefore referred to and said levers are at their ends connected by means of flexible or rigid members 25 in such manner that the motion of the bucket lever 2l is imparted to the rocking lever 26-and to the gate 27 and in the normal or closed position of the gate 27 the curved plates 27 are in such position as to prevent the ball, which is represented by the reference letter cc,

front ball a: rests upon the concave surface of the plates or stops 27 but upon the insertion of a coin in the coin freed mechanism 30 and the operation of the main lever 29 said plates 27 are by the means hereinafter described moved into a position between the front ball and the next one, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 10, thus allowing the front or first ball for play to roll out of the trough 19 to an orifice (not shown) at the front or any other part of the machine but barring the progress of the next one.

Pivotally mounted upon the side of the rotatable member 28 of the intermediate gate is a rod or bar member 33 which extends longitudinally of the trough 19 to the issuing gate 27 and at that end is curved or cam shaped as shown at 33 in Fig. 7 and provided with an upward projection 33 and upon one of the members 27 is a lateral stud or projection 27 and a spring 34, anchored at one end to a fixed member 35 and at the other end to said bar 33 as shown, is provided to maintain the same in contact with said lateral stud 27 The ofiice of the said rod or bar member 33, which as hereinbefore explained is pivoted to the gate 28 and moves longitudinally when that gate moves, is to open the gate 27, to allow the first ball to pass when the gate 28, which is controlled by the coin freed mechanism, is rotated so as to open the same.

In the opening or rotating of the gate 28 said rod or bar member 33 moves forward towards the gate 27 until the upward projection 33' snaps over or passes beyond the lateral projection 27 of the member 27 and on the return movement or closing of the gate 28 draws the plate members or stops 27 in between the first and second balls at as shown in Fig. 10 thus opening the gate allowing the first ball to roll to thedelivery orifice (not shown) but at the same time preventing the second one following.

After the first ball has been delivered, the gate 27 is operated by the rocking lever 26 through the connections 25 from the rocking lever 24 which is operated or rocked by the return of the ball causing the tilting of thebucket or cup 20.

According to a modification in the construction of the apparatus as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, the bucket or cup 20, hereinbefore referred to is pivotally mounted at 20 upon the counterweighted lever 21 which is unequally mounted upon its axis, as shownin Fig. 11.

Mounted upon a post or support 36 carried by the trough 19 or other fixed part is a hopper 37 which is disposed immediately above the cup or bucket 20 so as to form a mouth thereto and said hopper 37 is situated immediately beneath the outlet from the selecting device 7 between the same and the bucket or cup 20 in such manner as to guide the ball into the cup or bucket 20 which latter serves to control the delivery of allotted balls as hereinbeiore stated.

,Further, as shown, the weight 22 may be adjustably mounted and fixed in position by means of a set or binding screw 22 as shown whilst the rocking lever 24 may be provided with slots 24 so that the ends of the rigid or flexible connections 25 may be slidable fittings 25 mounted in said slots 24 According to a further modification in the construction of the apparatus the intermediate and issuing gates 28 and 27 hereinbeiore dethe following arrangement of parts, illustrated in Figs. 13 to 16, is provided.

At the outlet end of the trough 19 an inclined part or extension 39 is furnished and rotatably mounted in brackets or plates 40 carried by said extension is a rotatable member which comprises two discs 41 having disposed between them a number, preferably ten, as shown of plate members 42 which connect said discs 41 and which are disposed at equi-distances radially around the same and extending from the periphery for a short distance towards the centre thereof thus constituting a structure similar to a water wheel or drum and is hereinafter called the drum 41 and this drum 41 is mounted by means of a spind1e 41 with capability of free rotation upon the brackets 40 in such relation to the inclined portion or extension 39 of the trough 19 that the front ball so of a row of balls lying in said trough will contact with one of said plate members or vanes 42 and be prevented from rolling out of the delivery orifice (not shown) and any suitable means may be provided adapted to be actuated by the main lever 29 or the coin freed mechanism or both whereby said drum 41 may be locked against rotation for retaining the front ball a and the following balls in the trough 19 and released upon the insertion of a coin in the coin freed mechanism whereupon the weight of the.

ball a: or row of balls will rotate said drum 41 and allow said front ball a: to escape to the delivery orifice (not shown) of the apparatus, each subsequent ball being released through the tilting action of the bucket 20 as hereinbefore described.

Preferably the locking and releasing mechanism hereinafter described is employed for this purpose but it will be understood that any other suitable construction of locking and releasing mechanism may be substituted therefor.

Mounted upon the side of the drum 41 are a number of laterally disposed studs or projections 43, preferably 10, in a ring or circle, each stud 43 being disposed midway between the plate members or vanes 42 hereinbefore referred to, or in other desired position, and mounted at the side of the drum is a shaft or axis 44 upon which is fixed a rocking lever 45 having at each end thereof teeth or detents 46 adapted to engage one or other of said lateral studs or projections 43 at the times desired after the manner of a clock escapement and lock the drum 41 in the position to which it has been moved by a ball a:

- and also fixed upon the shaft or axis 44, or it might be upon a separate shaft, is a rocking lever .47 the ends of which are connected by means of wires 25, or they might be rods, chains or the like with the rocking lever 24 mounted upon the axis of the counter-balanced lever 21 carrying the bucket or cup 20 hereinbefore referred to so that the motion of the rocking lever 24 is communicated to the rocking lever 47 and every time a ball a: is tilted into the trough 19 bythe cup or bucket 20 the escapement lever 45 hereinbefore referred to is operated or rocked and the drum 41 is allowed to be rotated by the front ball as to the extent of the distances between said lateral studs 43 so that the balls 0: are delivered to the players one at a time.

It may be sometimes desired to allow ten or other number of balls to be delivered to the player or players one at a time in return for a certain denomination of coin.

Any suitable'means may be provided for this scribed are dispensed with and in lieu thereof purpose but preferably the following arrangement of parts is employed, as illustrated.

At a suitable point by the side of the drum 41 is pivotally mounted a rocking lever 48 one arm of which is connected by means of a connection 49 to the coin freed mechanism hereinbefore referred to and the other arm of which is provided with a tooth or detent 48 and upon the side of the drum 41 are provided two lateral studs 50, or other device, which the tooth or detent 48 of the lever 48 is adapted to engage to prevent the further movement of the drum 41 when ten or other predetermined number of balls a: have been allowed to pass the drum 41 the movements of said lever 48 being regulated through the connection 49 by the coin freed mechanism hereinbefore referred to in any well known manner.

By this arrangement of parts one, or any predetermined number of balls up to ten, may be delivered to a player or players in return for a coin of predetermined value.

In order to release the first ball upon the insertion of a coin in the coin freed mechanism 30 a lever 47a is mounted upon the of the lever 4'7 and fixed therewith as regards movement and this lever 47a is provided with a lateral projection 47b adapted to engage the lever 48 when the same is moved by the member 49 after a coin is inserted in the coin freed mechanism 30 so that in the upward movement of the lever 48 the same engages said projection 47b and moves the lever 47a and consequently the lever 47 in such manner that the escapement lever 45 releases the lateral stud 43 with which it is at the same time in engagement and allows the drum 41 to rotate the distance between the plates or vanes 42 and the first ball to issue to the delivery orifice of the machine.

In Figs. 17 and 18 is illustrated a modification in the construction of the selecting device which in this example consists of a wheel 51 having pockets 52 around its periphery and said pockets 52 are adapted to receive the balls from the ends of the channels 6 leading from the spiral ball race and the ends of said channels are provided with guides or platforms 12 adapted to guide the balls into one or other of said pockets 52 the weight of said ball giving a partial rotation to the wheel 51 and said pockets 52 are of such shape that they retain the ball until it has descended to a certain point in the rotation of the wheel 51 when said ball rolls onto an inclined platform or surface 53 at the bottom of which the tiltable bucket or cup 20 or hopper 37 hereinbefore referred to is positioned and into which the ball rolls.

The motion of the wheel 51 is communicated to the counting or indicatingmechanism l3 hereinbefore referred to by means of a chain 54 working over a chain wheel 55 upon the axis of the selecting wheel 51' and over a similar chain wheel upon the spindle of said counting or indicating mechanism 13. Or the motion of said selecting wheel 51 might be communicated to the counting or indicating mechanism by bevel or other form of gear.

It will be understood that the details of construction of the apparatus may be further modified without departing from the principle of the invention.

For instance the spiral channel can be modified as in Figs. 19 and 20 wherein the coils are arranged in one vertical plane as shown, the funnel shaped device 1 being mounted at the end of the-device and the openings 4 being at the side of the spiral coil 3 the highest opening being so disposed that the drive of the highest value or greatest force will cause the ball to issue at the highest opening whilst balls driven with lesser force will issue at intermediate openings.

I claim: I

l. A golf game apparatus comprising, in combination, a funnel through which golf balls are driven, a spiral tube connected with said funnel, the coils of said spiral tube being disposed in cy lindrical formation, an opening in each coil of said spiral tube, each ball falling through one of said openings upon the momentum of the ball being expended, a plurality of inclined channels, one channel connected to each opening, each ball passing down its corresponding inclined channel, a movable member mounted adjacent the ends of said inclined channels, pockets carried by said movable member, each ball rolling from one inclined channel into a selected pocket of said movable member, the movable member being movable by the weight of a ball in one of the pockets, a tiltable cup mounted below said movable member, said movable member oscillating to eject the ball into said cup, said cup being tilted by the weight of the ball, means for returning the cup to its normal position, a trough mounted below said cup for receiving and storing the balls, means carried by said trough for preventing the issue of balls from said trough and means for releasing the balls for play.

2. A golf game apparatus comprising in combination, a funnel having a large end and a small end, the balls being driven into the large end and through the small end, a spiral tube connected to the small end of said funnel, said spiral tube constituting a continuation of said fmmel, an opening in each coil of said spiral tube, a plurality of inclined tubes, one of said inclined tubes being connected to each of said openings in the spiral tube, each ball falling selectively through an opening into an inclined tube according to its momentum, an oscillatable member mounted below said inclined tubes, pockets carried by said oscillatable member, said pockets being located adjacent the lower ends of said inclined tubes, said oscillatable member being movable by the weight of a ball in one of the pockets, a tiltable cup mounted below said oscillatable member, said cup being tilted by the weight of a ball, the oscillating member oscillating to eject a ball into said cup, means for returning said cup to its normal position, a trough mounted below said cup, the ball falling from the cup into the trough, means carried by the trough for preventing issue of balls, and means allotting said balls for play.

3. In a golf game apparatus, a funnel through which the balls are driven, an oscillating member having pockets, means for selectively guiding the balls into said pockets, said oscillatory member being moved by the weight of one ball in one of the pockets, an inclined trough mounted below said oscillatory member, a tiltable cup carried by one end of said trough, a counterweighted lever carrying said cup, bearings carrying said counterweightcd lever, a gate member at the other end of said trough for preventing the issue of balls for play, means operated by the cup for opening said gate, a coin freed device, an intermediate gate adapted to be operated by said coin freed device and means carried by said intermediate gate for opening the issuing gate to release the first ball for play.

4. A golf game apparatus comprising a funnel, through which the balls are driven, a movable member having pockets, means selectively guiding balls from said funnel into said pockets, said movablemember being oscillated by the weight of one ball in one of the pockets, an inclined trough member mounted below said movable member, a support carried by one end of said trough, a spindle mounted in said support, a rocking lever fixed on said spindle, a cup mounted at one end of said rocking lever, a weight carried by the other end of said rocking lever to counterbalance said cup, the balls falling from the movable member into said cup, the weight of a ball tilting said cup, an issuing gate member located at the other end of said trough member, automatic means for opening said issuing gate member, a coin freed device, an intermediate gate member carried by the trough member, means operably connecting said coin freed device with said intermediate gate for controlling same, a stud carried by the issuing gate and a bar pivotally connected to the intermediate gate and adapted to engage the stud of the issuing gate for opening same to release the first ball.

5. A golf game apparatus comprising a funnel for receiving balls driven therethrough, an oscillatable member having pockets, means for selectively guiding balls from the funnel onto said pockets therefor, said oscillatable member being oscillated by the weight of one ball in one of the pockets, an inclined trough member mounted below said oscillatable member, a support mounted adjacent the upper end of said trough, a shaft carried by said support, a rocking lever fixed on said shaft, a bucket pivotally mounted upon one end of said rocking lever, a weight carried by the other end of said rocking lever, the bucket tilting on receiving a ball from said oscillatable member, a rotatable drum member carried by the other end of said trough member, radial plates fixed on said drum member, said plates being adapted to contact in turn with balls in said trough member for preventing issue of balls, means for locking said drum member against rotation, a coin freed device and means controlled by said coin freed device for releasing said drum for rotation to allot the first ball for play.

6. A golf game apparatus, comprising a funnel, golf balls being driven through said funnel, an oscillatable member having pockets, means for selectively guiding balls from said funnel to said pockets, said oscillatable member being sensitive to the weight of one ball in one of the pockets, a cup member tiltably mounted below said oscillatable member, means for guiding the ball from the oscillatable member into said cup member, an inclined trough member mounted below said oscillatable member, the tiltable cup member being disposed adjacent one end of said trough member, a rotatable drum member carried by the other end of said trough member, a series of radial plates fixed in said drum member, said plates being adapted to in turn prevent issue of balls for play, a series of lateral studs carried by said drum member, a pivotal escapement lever adapted to engage one of said studs to prevent rotation of said drum, a rocking lever for actuating said escapement lever, a coin freed device, a pivotal member, means connecting one end of said pivotal member to said coin freed device, a detent carried by the other end of said pivotal member and a projection upon the drum engaging said detent for releasing a number of said studs in sequence the number of studs being controlled by said coin freed device.

7. In a golf game apparatus as claimed in cl'aim I, a; trough for storing balls, discs rotatably carried by said trough, one rotatable disc being mounted upon each side of said trough, a yoke connecting said rotatable discs, said yoke transversely bridging said trough; plate members carried by said rotatable discs, said plate members projecting into said trough, a coin freed device; and means connecting a rotatable disc with said coin freed device. I

8. In a golf game apparatus as claimed in claim 1", a trough, rotatable discs carried by said trough, said rotatable discs being mounted upon the sides of the trough, a yoke bridging said trough, said yok'ecconnecting said rotatablediscs, plate members carried by said rotatable discs, said plate members projecting into] said trough and means for rotating said rotatable discs.

9; In a golf game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, an inclined trough for thecrecep'tion of balls, at tiltable bucket mounted at the highest end of said troughyarotatable gate mounted at the lowest end of said trough for preventing the issueof the balls for play, a coin fr'eed device, an intermediate rotatable gate, means connecting said coin freed device with said intermediate rotatable gate for opening said intermediate ro tatable gate to permit a number of balls to roll to the issuing rotatable gate, said intermediate rotatable gate being closed when a predetermined number of balls have passed the same, a

rod member pivotally connected with said intermediate rotatable gate, a stud carried by the issuing rotatable gate, a cam carried by said rod member, a projection carried by said rod memher, said projection engaging the stud of the issuing rotatable gate for opening same for releasing the first ball for play. I

10. In a golf game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, a trough member for the reception of balls, an inclined extension to said trough member, brackets carried by said inclined extension, a drum member rotatably mounted in said brackets, a plurality of radial plates fixed in said drum, said radial plates being fixed at equal distances apart, a plurality of lateral studs carried by said drum, said studs being fixed upon the exterior of said drum, a spindle mounted adjacent said drum, a rocking lever mounted upon said spindle, an escapeinent lever mounted upon said spindle and engaging the lateral studs of the drum, means for oscillating said levers, said escapement lever being adapted to allow one stud to pass at each oscillation thereof, a plate blocking the trough in the rotation oi: the drum to prevent the balls issuing from said trough, a coin freed device and means controlled by said coin freed device for permitting a plurality of balls to issue past said drum.

JOHN DOUGLAS BOWLING.

i io its tab 

